Chapter 11: Reprimand

Chapter 11

“Hui, how’s Wenxuan?” Cheng Fei looked at Lin Hui and asked.

Lin Hui glanced at the blood-soaked Fang Wenxuan in his arms and frowned, “Captain, I think his injuries are pretty serious.”

“Take him to the ambulance first, send him to the hospital. The rest, we’ll handle,” Cheng Fei said to Lin Hui.

Lin Hui carried Fang Wenxuan to the ambulance and headed straight to the hospital.

He sat on the bench outside, waiting as Fang Wenxuan was treated inside. He took off his jacket, which was stained with Wenxuan’s blood.

“Doctor, how is he?” Lin Hui immediately stepped forward when he saw the doctor come out.

“Although there are many external wounds, his constitution is quite strong. Once he wakes up, he’ll be fine,” the doctor replied.

Only then did Lin Hui breathe a sigh of relief and helped move Wenxuan into the ward. He then called Cheng Fei, “Captain, he’s out of the treatment room now, nothing serious. I’ll come back to work, there are other police officers here, so it should be fine.”

“Hui, just stay there and wait for him to wake up. Don’t let anything else happen. There’s nothing urgent at the station, just the interrogation of those suspects,” Cheng Fei said.

Lin Hui hung up, annoyed, and glared hatefully at Fang Wenxuan lying on the hospital bed. “It’s all your fault. Even injured, you have to make me watch over you. Now with all those criminals, I can’t even interrogate them.”

Despite his words, Lin Hui eventually sat down, watching the unconscious Fang Wenxuan lying in bed. No matter how he looked at him, Lin Hui felt the young traffic officer was not cut out for criminal investigations—he was too handsome, maybe better suited to being a star.

Criminal Investigation Team.

Cheng Fei began the interrogation, staring coldly at Mr. Hou seated opposite.

“Name!” Cheng Fei demanded harshly.

“Hou Changping.” Hou Changping replied indifferently.

“Age?”

“Thirty-eight.”

“Are you the one who organized He Beichuan, Xie Yi, and others in human organ trafficking?” Cheng Fei cut straight to the point.

“Hmph, words require evidence. Do you have any proof for such an accusation?” Hou Changping sneered at Cheng Fei.

“Xie Yi has already testified against you,” Cheng Fei said angrily.

“But do you have evidence? Without it, no matter how many people accuse me, it’s useless, isn’t it?” Hou Changping replied smugly.

“Hmph, evidence will come. Just you wait,” Cheng Fei said coldly.

He strode out of the interrogation room and approached He Xiaopeng’s desk. “Xiaopeng, have you recovered Xie Yi’s computer and phone data?”

“Captain, both devices were soaked in water, but I can recover them. It’ll take three to four hours to restore everything,” He Xiaopeng replied.

“Good, notify me as soon as you recover it,” Cheng Fei said, patting He Xiaopeng on the shoulder.

“Captain.” Zhen Qiaoshan approached, holding a folder. “I’ve found something.”

“What did you find?” Cheng Fei asked.

“These are footprints found in Mei Yanqin’s rented house, and fingernails found in He Beichuan’s body parts. We’ve already tested them—the DNA from the nail matches Hou Changping’s DNA. The footprints in Mei Yanqin’s rental also match Hou Changping’s,” Zhen Qiaoshan handed the report to Cheng Fei.

Cheng Fei smiled after reading it, “Excellent, excellent. Now we’ll interrogate Xie Yi again, ask him where the murder weapon is. With this, Hou Changping can no longer deny it.”

Cheng Fei interrogated Xie Yi again.

Yet Xie Yi remained silent as before. Cheng Fei sat for half an hour, growing impatient, and glared at Xie Yi, “Xie Yi, don’t think that keeping silent will get you off…”

“I’ll only speak to Officer Fang,” Xie Yi finally said.

“You…” Cheng Fei stood up angrily and left the interrogation room.

“Captain, how can someone be so odd? Wenxuan has always scolded him, yet he insists on being interrogated by Wenxuan,” Detective Du Yang commented outside.

“Did Hui call? Has Wenxuan woken up?” Cheng Fei asked, setting aside his notebook.

Du Yang shook his head, “I called earlier, still nothing. He lost so much blood, it’ll be a while before he wakes up, but his life isn’t in danger.”

“Once we’re done, let’s all go see Wenxuan,” Cheng Fei said.

Three hours later, He Xiaopeng finally restored Xie Yi’s computer data and found records of all conversations between Xie Yi and Hou Changping, documenting how Hou Changping guided Xie Yi and others online in organ trading.

“Captain, with this, Hou Changping can’t deny it anymore. This arrogant criminal can finally be convicted, and Wenxuan will have justice,” He Xiaopeng said excitedly, holding his laptop.

Cheng Fei frowned, “It’s not that easy. We must find the murder weapon Hou Changping used to kill Wang Minmin, Mei Yanqin, and He Beichuan.”

“So we must get Xie Yi to talk? But he’ll only speak to Wenxuan, who’s still unconscious,” He Xiaopeng said.

“No rush on the interrogation. Hou Changping can’t go anywhere for now. Let’s visit Wenxuan at the hospital,” Cheng Fei said.

He Xiaopeng gathered his things promptly.

“Captain…” Zhen Qiaoshan had already run to the detective hall, looking at Cheng Fei, “I want to see Wenxuan, too. If he hadn’t gone in my place, I would be the one lying in hospital now.”

“Qiaoshan, I hope you learn from this. Both you and Wenxuan broke protocol. When the case ends, you’ll each write a report,” Cheng Fei said sternly.

“Yes, Captain,” Zhen Qiaoshan nodded.

“Let’s go,” Cheng Fei said. The three left the detective hall together and drove to the hospital.

In the hospital.

Fang Wenxuan slowly opened his eyes. It took him a while to realize he was in a hospital. Pain—his whole body ached. His mouth was dry, and he desperately wanted water. He turned his head and saw Lin Hui beside him. Joy stirred in his heart as he prepared to ask for water.

“Hey, little traffic cop, you’re finally awake. Honestly, you’re pretty lousy. This is the first time I’ve seen a detective held hostage by a criminal. Beaten up so badly, you’ve really embarrassed our team. The other units will probably have a field day laughing at us,” Lin Hui vented all his frustration on Wenxuan as soon as he saw him awake.

Wenxuan was annoyed but had nothing to say. He was embarrassed—he knew this incident exposed his lack of ability. He realized how reckless criminals could be, and that his own skills were insufficient.

But couldn’t Lin Hui at least give him some water before lecturing him? His throat was so dry he felt it might catch fire.

“Little traffic cop, I advise you to quit being a detective. With your looks, you’re better suited for the public relations department—dealing with media, PR, that sort of thing. When Captain arrives, maybe I’ll recommend you,” Lin Hui said again, seeing Wenxuan silent.

Wenxuan glared at Lin Hui, furious. He could endure scolding and punishment, but he absolutely couldn’t accept being transferred out of the detective team because of this incident. It was his dream.

“Wenxuan, you’re awake? That’s wonderful!” Suddenly the door opened, and Cheng Fei, He Xiaopeng, and Zhen Qiaoshan walked in. Seeing Wenxuan awake, Zhen Qiaoshan exclaimed in surprise.

Wenxuan’s throat was so dry he couldn’t speak, so he nodded in greeting.

As a woman, Zhen Qiaoshan was the most attentive. She immediately noticed Wenxuan’s discomfort, hurriedly poured him a cup of warm water, helped him sit up, and handed him the cup.

Wenxuan drank it all in one go, feeling much better. He handed the cup back to Zhen Qiaoshan and smiled, “Thank you, Sister Qiaoshan.”

“How are you feeling now, Wenxuan?” Cheng Fei asked.

He Xiaopeng placed the fruit basket he brought on the coffee table.

“Much better, Captain,” Wenxuan replied.

Cheng Fei nodded, then looked sternly at Wenxuan. “Wenxuan, even though you’re still recovering, I must say this as captain. You violated protocol by returning to the scene alone without approval. Do you understand?”

Wenxuan lowered his head, “I know I was wrong, Captain.”

“I hope you learn from this. Report everything in the future, and remember teamwork,” Cheng Fei said earnestly.

“Yes, Captain,” Wenxuan nodded.

“Write a report when you get back,” Cheng Fei said sternly.

“Captain, I really don’t think he’s cut out for detective work. He’d be better off in the PR department. With his looks, he’d fit right in,” Lin Hui said to Cheng Fei.

Wenxuan immediately looked at Lin Hui. He’d thought Lin Hui was just joking earlier, but now he realized Lin Hui was serious, actually recommending his transfer.

How cold-blooded could this man be? He could endure scolding from his senior, but as a mentor, Lin Hui showed no tolerance. Was he to be stripped of his detective status for one mistake?

Cheng Fei looked at Lin Hui, then at Wenxuan lying in bed, as if seriously considering the suggestion.

“Captain, I’m sorry. I was wrong this time. I didn’t follow protocol and acted alone. Please give me another chance!” Seeing Cheng Fei truly consider transferring him, Wenxuan grew anxious, struggling upright from the bed despite his weakness.

Zhen Qiaoshan hurriedly supported him and pleaded with Cheng Fei, “Captain, if someone must be transferred, it should be me. Wenxuan is new and didn’t know the rules. He was helping me, and as his senior, I should have known better and not let personal matters endanger him. It’s all my fault.”

He Xiaopeng also chimed in, “Captain, everyone makes mistakes. As long as we learn from them, it’s fine. Besides, it’s rare to have a diligent, dedicated detective like Wenxuan in our team. Qiaoshan is always careful in her work, and if it weren’t for her brother’s sudden accident, she wouldn’t have made this mistake.”